Selected for the Panasonic NPO/NGO Support Fund for SDGs

ASHA, a certified non-profit organization, was selected as a grant recipient of the "Panasonic NPO/NGO Support Fund for SDGs," a grant program by Panasonic Holdings Corporation aimed at strengthening the organizational foundations of NPOs/NGOs. ASHA participated in the grant award ceremony held on Friday, January 27, at Panasonic Center Tokyo.

• About the Panasonic NPO/NGO Support Fund for SDGs

The Panasonic NPO/NGO Support Fund for SDGs is a grant program designed to support NPOs and NGOs that play vital roles in society, enabling them to sustainably pursue social transformation. With a focus on the major SDGs goal of "eliminating poverty," the program offers two types of support — Domestic and International Grants. It provides assistance for initiatives such as organizational assessments to identify challenges, concrete actions to address those challenges, and efforts to strengthen organizational foundations.

Official website of the Panasonic NPO/NGO Support Fund for SDGs: https://holdings.panasonic/jp/corporate/sustainability/citizenship/pnsf/npo_summary.html

ASHA has been selected for the project titled “Organizational Assessment and Capacity Building to Sustain and Develop Healthcare Access Improvement Initiatives in Nepal.”

• ファンド応募の背景と今後の展望

<Background of Application>

For the past seven years, ASHA has been supporting the establishment of a locally-driven healthcare system in Nepal. Recently, in response to local needs and an expanding base of supporters domestically, the organization’s activities have been broadening. However, the organization faces challenges such as fluctuating commitment levels due to a reliance on pro bono work, and a lack of financial resources, expertise, and know-how to strengthen its organizational foundation. To effectively implement and expand its plans, external support, capacity building, and investments in fundraising are urgent priorities, which led to ASHA’s application for this grant.

<Organizational Capacity Building>

In response to the need for scaling, ASHA aims to strengthen its organizational foundation by securing financial resources, acquiring necessary personnel, optimizing its organizational structure, and institutionalizing methods for maintaining and improving engagement. This will be achieved through a three-step approach, supported by external consultants.

<Future Outlook>

ASHA aims to establish a sustainable and stable financial and human resource base to enable the organization to continue its activities effectively. At the same time, we are working towards becoming a certified NPO and building a new NPO model based on pro bono-driven organizational management. This will contribute to the revitalization of the social sector. Furthermore, in line with our organizational vision, "Basic Health Rights for All – the right to live healthily and with peace of mind, no matter where you are born," ASHA will continue to tackle healthcare challenges in Nepal.

• Comments on the Selection

  
  

ASHA Representative Director, Yoshifumi Nin

We are deeply grateful to Panasonic for awarding us the prestigious "Panasonic NPO/NGO Support Fund for SDGs," allowing us to embark on strengthening our organizational foundation. We sincerely appreciate being selected as a recipient of this grant. Our organization, founded in 2015 and incorporated in 2017, is still young and small. While employment is primarily based in Nepal, the Japanese members have been operating on a pro bono basis. With this grant, we will focus on strengthening our organizational foundation, which we have been unable to fully address, and work even more vigorously to improve healthcare access in challenging environments. We are grateful for your support as we take on this challenge.

ASHA Deputy Secretary General, Kazushi Terashita (PR & Fundraising)

We are truly honored to have been selected for the "Panasonic NPO/NGO Support Fund for SDGs." It is a great privilege to be chosen for this historical grant program, which has recently been recognized with the "Corporate Philanthropy Award" this year. Our domestic organization is operated primarily by pro bono members, which presents many challenges, including limited time for activities. However, we aim to leverage this unique aspect to create a new model for NPO management and contribute to revitalizing the social sector. We hope to receive your support as we face this significant challenge that will shape the future of our organization.